What do the league-owned New Orleans Hornets think point guard Chris Paul is worth? Just days after NBA commissioner David Stern vetoed a three-team deal with the Lakers and Rockets, a trade for Paul to the Clippers collapsed, although talks were renewed according to ESPN.com.
Paul wants out of New Orleans, but at this rate the Hornets will be left with nothing in return for their All-Star, who can opt out of his contract after this season.
Interest was high when the Hornets made it known Paul was available for trade discussions, but teams will start getting discouraged if trade proposals keep getting turned away.
The price is too high. There’s no way the Hornets are going to get another elite player in return, so they must settle on the best compilation of pieces. The reported Lakers and Clippers deals both seemed reasonable.
Everyone was “witness” to what unfolded when the Cleveland Cavaliers were unable to re-sign LeBron James. If the league keeps nixing deals for Paul, that is where New Orleans is headed.
– Jeffrey Tomik
